Aluf Benn | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/profile/aluf-benn
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Binyamin Netanyahu would rather stay in power than pursue a peace deal | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/30/binyamin-netanyahu-power-israel-palestine-peace-deal
The Israel-Palestine peace talks have collapsed, and Netanyahu's rightwing coalition remains in place. But this is not a long-term solution<p>Israel's prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, wants to stay in power for as long as possible. He deploys a zero-risk strategy aimed at keeping his rightwing political base behind him, while convincing the public that he alone could lead the country in times of regional turmoil. This week, Netanyahu overcame a key challenge to his coveted political stasis. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/29/israel-palestine-peace-talks-deadline-passes" title="">The deadline for US-sponsored Israeli-Palestinian talks passed</a>, while Netanyahu's governing coalition remained intact.</p><p>Netanyahu missed an opportunity. He could have leveraged his unchallenged leadership to make headway towards peace, freed Israel from the moral and political burden of its endless <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/israeli-binyamin-netanyahu-west-bank-settlements-palestinian" title="">occupation in the West Bank</a>, and drawn the country's permanent borders. The Israeli public would widely support any peace programme endorsed by Netanyahu. And for the first time in his turbulent 30-year career, Bibi could have been the national hero, leading from the centre, rather than remaining the aloof master of PR.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/30/binyamin-netanyahu-power-israel-palestine-peace-deal">Continue reading...</a>IsraelBinyamin NetanyahuMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsPalestinian territoriesJohn KerryWed, 30 Apr 2014 13:00:47 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/30/binyamin-netanyahu-power-israel-palestine-peace-dealBaz Ratner/Reuters'For the first time in his 30-year career, Netanyahu could have been the national hero, leading from the centre, rather than the aloof master of PR.' Photograph: Baz Ratner/ReutersBaz Ratner/ReutersBinyamin Netanyahu Photograph: Baz Ratner/ReutersAluf Benn2014-04-30T13:00:47ZThe Jewish majority in Israel still see their country as 'a villa in the jungle' | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/20/jewish-majority-israel-villa-in-the-jungle
Binyamin Netanyahu's policy of leveraging the upheavals in Egypt to justify the West Bank status quo faces little opposition<p>A Middle East news summary: deadly crackdown of protest in Egypt, bloody civil war in Syria, a car bomb in Lebanon, refugee crisis and political uncertainty in Jordan, sectarian war resumes in Iraq. Only in Israel, right in their midst, people are busy with their summer vacations. Here, the hottest news in recent weeks was the <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/.premium-1.540605" title="">nomination fiasco</a> of the national bank governor. Even the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/14/israelis-palestinians-peace-talks" title="">resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians</a>, after five years of impasse, raises only little interest or hope here.</p><p>Israel has never appeared so remote and disconnected from its neighbours. Seen through a mainstream political prism in Israel, the latest switch in the Arab spring revolutions with the military retaking of Egypt simply proves that the Jewish state is, as former prime minister Ehud Barak once said, &quot;<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/26/ehud-barak-quits-politics-israel" title="">a villa in the jungle</a>&quot;. Despite all its inter-tribal rivalries and domestic tensions and even its <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/09/israel-settlements-middle-east-talks" title="">never-ending occupation of the West Bank</a>, Israel is uncharacteristically an island of calm in a troubled region. Or, in popular terms, &quot;they&quot; kill each other while we go to the beach.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/20/jewish-majority-israel-villa-in-the-jungle">Continue reading...</a>IsraelEgyptBinyamin NetanyahuGazaLebanonEhud BarakMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsAfricaArab and Middle East unrestSyriaTue, 20 Aug 2013 17:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/20/jewish-majority-israel-villa-in-the-jungleUriel Sinai/Getty Images'Despite all its inter-tribal rivalries and domestic tensions, and even its never-ending occupation of the West Bank, Israel is uncharacteristically an island of calm in a troubled region.' Photograph: Uriel Sinai/Getty ImagesUriel Sinai/Getty Images'Despite all its inter-tribal rivalries and domestic tensions, and even its never-ending occupation of the West Bank, Israel is uncharacteristically an island of calm in a troubled region.' Photograph: Uriel Sinai/Getty ImagesAluf Benn in Tel Aviv2013-08-20T17:00:00ZBarack Obama's mission for Israel | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/21/obama-mission-for-israel
The US president has learned from his first-year follies. But are we Israelis smart enough to listen to his message?<p>Four years ago, Barack Obama skipped Jerusalem during his first presidential trip to the Middle East. Aimed then at restoring America's credibility in the Arab and Muslim world, showing some distance from Israel appeared to be good policy in Obama's eyes. So he spoke to the Arabs but ignored the Israelis. Adding insult to injury, his <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/04/barack-obama-keynote-speech-egypt?INTCMP=SRCH" title="">remarks in Cairo</a> implied that the Jewish state was born out of the ashes of the Holocaust, failing to mention the Bible and the Jews' historic ties to the Holy Land.</p><p>It took a while for Obama to realise that his cold shoulder toward Israel was counterproductive. It undermined his peacemaking efforts on the Palestinian front, since there was no Israeli constituency supporting him. Moreover, it gave ammunition to the president's domestic rivals, who argued – in the words of former Republican candidate Mitt Romney – that Obama was <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20064466-503544.html" title="">&quot;throwing Israel under the bus&quot;</a>. No amount of pledges to support Israel's security could kill this argument (even senior Israeli officials acknowledged the unprecedented defence and intelligence co-operation under Obama). From Israel, the US president was seen as a hopeless pro-Arab peacenik, naive about the harsh realities of the region and complacent about Iran's nuclear threat.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/21/obama-mission-for-israel">Continue reading...</a>Barack ObamaIsraelUS foreign policyBinyamin NetanyahuPalestinian territoriesMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsThu, 21 Mar 2013 18:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/21/obama-mission-for-israelKobi Gideon/Israel Sun / Rex Fea/Kobi Gideon/Israel Sun / Rex Fea'The Obama-Netanyahu dialogue has sounded like a broken record playing the same tune for four years.' Photograph: Kobi Gideon/Israel Sun / Rex FeaKobi Gideon/Israel Sun / Rex Fea/Kobi Gideon/Israel Sun / Rex Fea'The Obama-Netanyahu dialogue has sounded like a broken record playing the same tune for four years.' Photograph: Kobi Gideon/Israel Sun / Rex FeaAluf Benn2013-03-21T18:30:00ZIsrael's media censorship of the Prisoner X story is a sad fact of life | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/feb/15/israel-censorship-prisoner-x
The media gag on the death of Mossad agent Ben Zygier relied not on coercion but on public support for a high-security state<p>Israel's media operates under <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/13/israel-media-gag-prisoner-x" title="">official censorship</a>. That has been the basic fact of my professional life as a journalist covering foreign policy and national security. Here's how it works: any story involving defence, intelligence, or nuclear matters must be submitted to the military censor's office. It can run only after being stamped for approval.</p><p>Israel being Israel, and not China or the former <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Germany" title="">German Democratic Republic</a>, its censorship is less scary than it might appear. The 35 military censors are not faceless, inaccessible bureaucrats who work behind walls. You know them personally and you can negotiate the wording to let the story pass.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/feb/15/israel-censorship-prisoner-x">Continue reading...</a>IsraelMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsThe MossadAustralia newsAsia PacificBinyamin NetanyahuFri, 15 Feb 2013 10:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/feb/15/israel-censorship-prisoner-xWilliam West/AFP/Getty ImagesAustralian newspapers lead their front pages with the death of former Mossad agent Ben Zygier, known as Prisoner X. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty ImagesWilliam West/AFP/Getty ImagesAustralian newspapers lead their front pages with the story of the death of former Mossad agent Ben Zygier, known as Prisoner X. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty ImagesAluf Benn2013-02-15T10:30:00ZCan Netanyahu survive Israel's middle-class revolt? | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/23/netanyahu-israel-middle-class-yair-lapid
The election has given Israel a new kingmaker in Yair Lapid. But Binyamin Netanyahu is a master of survival<p>Israeli voters delivered a painful blow to Binyamin Netanyahu in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/22/israel-elections-binyamin-netanyahu" title="">Tuesday's election</a>, and halted the country's worrying drift to the far right. The incumbent prime minister is likely to keep his job but his political bloc failed to put the expansion of West Bank settlements on top of the national agenda, and to sacrifice civil rights in favour of majority rule.</p><p>The election's rising star, Yair Lapid, positioned himself as <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/23/yair-lapid-israel" title="">Israel's new kingmaker</a> and will be the key player in the next governing coalition. Lapid promised his voters one thing: normality – to live in Israel as if you're living in western Europe or North America, with a government that worries about education, housing and economic opportunity, rather than Iran's nuclear programme or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/23/netanyahu-israel-middle-class-yair-lapid">Continue reading...</a>IsraelMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsBinyamin NetanyahuWed, 23 Jan 2013 18:04:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/23/netanyahu-israel-middle-class-yair-lapidAmmar Awad/REUTERSYair Lapid, the leader of the Yesh Atid (There Is a Future) party, gestures to supporters after the Israeli election. Photograph: Ammar Awad/REUTERSAmmar Awad/REUTERSYair Lapid, the leader of the Yesh Atid (There Is a Future) party, gestures to supporters after the Israeli election. Photograph: Ammar Awad/REUTERSAluf Benn2013-01-23T18:04:00ZBinyamin Netanyahu's fig leaf could be backhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/nov/26/binyamin-netanyahu-fig-leaf-ehud-barak
Retirement might not stop Ehud Barak playing a key role in any Israeli plans to attack Iran<p>Ehud Barak, who on Monday announced that he is quitting politics, has been the chief author of Israel's national security policy for a generation. He has served as military chief of staff, foreign minister, opposition leader, prime minister and currently defence minister, and his ideas underlie most war and peace decisions. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/jan/03/israel1" title="">Barak's failed peace proposal to Yasser Arafat</a> is still widely considered to be the basis for any future deal, while his <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2000/may/24/israelandthepalestinians.lebanon" title="">pullout from Lebanon</a> in 2000 serves as the model for Israeli unilateralism. For better or worse, his conclusion of the Camp David debacle – &quot;We have no Palestinian partner&quot; – continues to be the mainstream political thinking in Israel – which makes him the anathema of Israel's dwindling peace camp.</p><p>Barak made his name as a young officer in the special forces, where his daring, cunning and salesmanship propelled him to the highest ranks. He took his love of secretive schemes to politics, where he perfected the art of wrongfooting the media and the public. He did it again on Monday, announcing his withdrawal from the current election campaign less than a week after leading the IDF in Operation Pillar of Defence against Hamas in Gaza, which ended in another fragile ceasefire.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/nov/26/binyamin-netanyahu-fig-leaf-ehud-barak">Continue reading...</a>IsraelEhud BarakMiddle East and North AfricaPalestinian territoriesHamasBinyamin NetanyahuGazaWorld newsMon, 26 Nov 2012 20:15:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/nov/26/binyamin-netanyahu-fig-leaf-ehud-barakKOBI GIDEON/ ISRAELI GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE / HANDOUT/EPAIsraeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak. Netanyahu was a junior officer under Barak and remains in awe of him Photograph: KOBI GIDEON/ ISRAELI GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE / HANDOUT/EPAKOBI GIDEON/ ISRAELI GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE / HANDOUT/EPAIsraeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak. Netanyahu was a junior officer under Barak and remains in awe of him Photograph: KOBI GIDEON/ ISRAELI GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE / HANDOUT/EPAAluf Benn2012-11-26T20:15:01ZBinyamin Netanyahu has no credible opposition in the general election | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/11/israel-binyamin-netanyahu-general-election
Netanyahu's adherence to the status quo prevents him from dealing with Israel's problems – but rivals present no challenge<p>Israel's prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/09/binyamin-netanyahu-early-election-israel" title="">is running for a second re-election</a> – something that no Israeli leader has achieved since <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/israel_at_50/profiles/81279.stm" title="">David Ben-Gurion</a>, the country's founding father. On Tuesday, Netanyahu announced an early election in January, which he will almost surely win. His centre-left rivals are too disorganised, unpopular, or inexperienced, while the ruling rightwing block enjoys a stable majority in opinion polls.</p><p>In his campaign-launching televised address, Netanyahu put &quot;ensuring that Iran will not have a nuclear bomb&quot; atop his agenda. He made similar declarations before the previous election, in February 2009. Keeping Iran in the headlines serves Bibi's political goals: he appears to be the only possible leader with enough experience, authority and diplomatic skill to deal with the issue. If Iran is the key problem, Netanyahu is the obvious solution.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/11/israel-binyamin-netanyahu-general-election">Continue reading...</a>IsraelBinyamin NetanyahuMiddle East and North AfricaIranWorld newsThu, 11 Oct 2012 15:01:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/11/israel-binyamin-netanyahu-general-electionGil Cohen Magen/REUTERSIsrael's prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu remains the favourite to win the election. Photograph: Gil Cohen Magen/ReutersGil Cohen Magen/REUTERSIsrael's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains the favourite to win the election. Photograph: Gil Cohen Magen/REUTERSAluf Benn2012-10-11T15:01:20ZBinyamin Netanyahu has indeed learned to play politics | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/may/10/binyamin-netanyahu-coalition-israel
By striking a surprise coalition deal, Israel's PM has secured another 18 months in power and he'll be calling the shots<p>Shortly before the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/31/israel-elections-binyamin-netanyahu" title="">2009 election</a> that propelled Binyamin Netanyahu back to power in Israel, I went to interview him for a magazine profile. His campaign was all about personal change; Netanyahu was voted out a decade before, and had been working ever since on his vengeful comeback. &quot;What change are you talking about?&quot; I asked him. &quot;I've been reading back your past statements and interviews, and you've been saying the exact same things.&quot;</p><p>&quot;You're right,&quot; said Bibi. &quot;My positions have not changed, but the Israeli public is more willing to listen to me, and I've learned to be a politician.&quot;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/may/10/binyamin-netanyahu-coalition-israel">Continue reading...</a>IsraelBinyamin NetanyahuWorld newsMiddle East and North AfricaThu, 10 May 2012 12:11:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/may/10/binyamin-netanyahu-coalition-israelSebastian Scheiner/APIsrael's prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu with Kadima party leader Shaul Mofaz at a joint press conference announcing the new coalition government. Photograph: Sebastian Scheiner/APSebastian Scheiner/APIsrael's prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu with Kadima party leader Shaul Mofaz at a joint press conference announcing the new coalition government. Photograph: Sebastian Scheiner/APAluf Benn in Tel Aviv2012-05-10T12:11:09ZNetanyahu and Obama: is this the final showdown? | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/may/17/netanyahu-obama-washington-showdown
This week, Israel's PM goes to the US hoping for a diplomatic victory – but reality is decided on the ground, not Capitol Hill<p>This week the Israeli prime minister <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/may/04/israel-palestinian-territories" title="Guardian: David Cameron to Israel: join talks or I may support independence declaration">Binyamin Netanyahu</a> will fly to Washington on a diplomatic mission. His goal is formidable: pre-empting the &quot;diplomatic tsunami&quot; threatening Israel in September, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/palestinian-territories" title="Guardian: Palestinian territories">the Palestinians' target date for declaring their internationally sanctioned statehood</a> within the pre-1967 borders. Netanyahu wants to keep the US at his side while preserving the territorial status quo in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.</p><p>The coming week's schedule of speeches and meetings is hectic. While Netanyahu is on the plane to the US, Barack Obama will deliver his much-anticipated Middle East speech, the sequel to his 2009 Cairo address. The next day he will host Netanyahu at the White House. After that, both will appear separately at the policy convention of <a href="http://www.aipac.org/" title="The American Israel Public Affairs Committee">Aipac</a>, the pro-Israel lobby. And on Tuesday, Netanyahu will speak before a joint session of Congress, laying out his vision of Israeli-Palestinian peace. What to expect from all this activity; a diplomatic showdown? And if so, who will blink first?</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/may/17/netanyahu-obama-washington-showdown">Continue reading...</a>IsraelWorld newsPalestinian territoriesMiddle East and North AfricaUS foreign policyUS newsBarack ObamaBinyamin NetanyahuTue, 17 May 2011 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/may/17/netanyahu-obama-washington-showdownJim Hollander/EPANetanyahu had to cave in to Bill Clinton's demands and ended up being ousted by his rightwing coalition. Photograph: Jim Hollander/EPAAluf Benn2011-05-17T08:00:00ZAluf Benn: Despite its flaws, the Goldstone report has changed Israel's behaviour in Gazahttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/03/goldstone-gaza-israel-un-report
Israelis do not forgive his initial findings, but Richard Goldstone's UN report is a powerful deterrent against a repeat of the war<p>Since releasing his report in the September after the fighting, Judge Richard Goldstone has been Israel's most hated person. In the eyes of the Netanyahu government and its rightwing supporters, he personified the effort to &quot;de-legitimise&quot; the Jewish state and deprive it of its ability to defend itself. He was portrayed in the popular mediaas the quintessential self-hating Jew. Human rights groups that gave the commission information have been branded as collaborators and traitors.</p><p>Even today, following his retraction of his key allegation – that Israel had deliberately targeted Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and hence conducted war crimes and even crimes against humanity – Goldstone has not gained any belated popularity. Columnists in mainstream papers called him &quot;Unforgiven,&quot; the author of &quot;an antisemitic report&quot; who presided over a superficial, politically motivated inquiry.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/03/goldstone-gaza-israel-un-report">Continue reading...</a>GazaMiddle East and North AfricaPalestinian territoriesWorld newsUnited NationsIsraelHamasSun, 03 Apr 2011 19:12:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/03/goldstone-gaza-israel-un-reportIbraheem Abu Mustafa/ReutersA Palestinian woman carries her child past a house demolished in the southern Gaza Strip during Israel’s offensive. Photograph: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/ReutersIbraheem Abu Mustafa/ReutersA Palestinian woman carries her child past a house demolished in the southern Gaza Strip during Israel's offensive. Photograph: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/ReutersAluf Benn2011-04-03T19:12:00ZIsrael is blind to the Arab revolution | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/23/israel-blind-to-arab-revolution
Israel's view of the Arab uprising reflects ideas of itself as a liberal bastion in a sea of backwardness<p>Even in its third month, the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middleeast/roundup" title="Guardian: Middle East">Arab revolution</a> fails to resonate positively in Israel. The Israeli news media devote a lot of space to dramatic events in the region, but our self-centered political discourse remains the same. It cannot see beyond the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/21/israel-air-strikes-gaza" title="Guardian: Israeli air strikes wound 19 in Gaza">recent escalation across the Gaza border</a>, or the approaching possibility of a Palestinian declaration of statehood in September. Israel's leaders are missing the old order in the Arab world, sensing only trouble in the unfolding and perhaps inevitable change.</p><p>Prime minister <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/binyamin-netanyahu" title="Guardian: Binyamin Netanyahu">Binyamin Netanyahu</a>, defence minister Ehud Barak, and the opposition leader, Tzipi Livni, have all reacted to the Arab revolution by reciting long-held positions. Netanyahu has warned of an &quot;Iran next door&quot; scenario in Egypt, pledging to fence off Israel's peaceful borders with Egypt and Jordan. Asked by CNN's Piers Morgan if he was sad to see <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/hosni-mubarak" title="Guardian: Hosni Mubarak">Hosni Mubarak</a> go, Netanyahu admitted that he was.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/23/israel-blind-to-arab-revolution">Continue reading...</a>Arab and Middle East unrestTzipi LivniWorld newsIsraelMiddle East and North AfricaPalestinian territoriesGazaWed, 23 Mar 2011 10:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/23/israel-blind-to-arab-revolutionAriel Schalit/APTel Aviv at sunset. Israeli ministers prefer to close their eyes to the reality of change around the region. Photograph: Ariel Schalit/APAluf Benn2011-03-23T10:00:00ZThe Palestine papers help Abbas in the diplomatic jiujitsu | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jan/25/palestine-papers-abbas-partner-peace
The Netanyahu doctrine has been exposed as a sham. Israel does have a partner for peace – the Palestinian president<p>The <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/palestine-papers" title="">Palestine papers</a> reveal that Israel has – or had – a partner for a negotiated two-state solution. They reveal that our previous government, led by <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/ehud-olmert" title="">Ehud Olmert</a> as prime minister and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/23/palestine-papers-tzipi-livni-israel" title="">Tzipi Livni</a> as foreign minister, discussed a detailed partition plan involving serious give and take with its Palestinian interlocutors. Alas, the Palestine papers also reveal the lack of political will to conclude the deal, shown by the wide gaps over substantive positions, and both sides' leaning towards fruitless debating, rather than seeking a compromise.</p><p>The first batch of papers gives a detailed account, partly verbatim, of the Annapolis process that lasted from November 2007 to late 2008. While the contents and maps of Olmert's proposal to the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, have been published before, now, for the first time, we get a glimpse of the Palestinian counter-proposal on borders, security, and Jerusalem.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jan/25/palestine-papers-abbas-partner-peace">Continue reading...</a>Palestinian territoriesIsraelMahmoud AbbasBinyamin NetanyahuMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsThe Palestine papersTue, 25 Jan 2011 09:00:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jan/25/palestine-papers-abbas-partner-peaceAluf Benn2011-01-25T09:00:12ZTel Aviv liberals are true Israelis too | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/apr/28/tel-aviv-israelis-hedonistic-bubble
Our critics accuse us of living in a hedonistic bubble, but we are proud of having built a thriving secular society here<p>There is one place where Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu's warnings of an Iranian-initiated &quot;<a href="http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1079641.html" title="Haaretz: Netanyahu we won't let Holocaust deniers repeat genocide against Jews ">second Holocaust</a>&quot; fail to reverberate, and that is Tel Aviv, Israel's business, culture and fun hub. The city is going through an unprecedented <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1153282.html" title="Haaretz: The boom before the boom ">real estate explosion</a>: its skyline is constantly rising, property prices increased by 37% last year, and new projects are snatched before they're even publicised. If Tel Avivians were afraid of Iranian nukes and missiles, like their prime minister, they would not spend millions of dollars on luxury apartments built near the Israeli Defence Forces headquarters. Or they simply don't believe Netanyahu.</p><p>With more than 3 million people in its metropolitan area, Tel Aviv is the bastion of Israel's secular liberalism, a combination of Wall Street, SoHo and Ibiza. While voting for the left, most Tel Avivians care little about the Palestinians or about the wider Middle East. The internet allows Israelis to feel plugged into the west, leapfrogging their immediate neighbourhood. And since many Tel Avivians have lived and studied abroad, travel frequently, or dream of moving elsewhere, they can get around more easily in London or Manhattan than in the more traditional parts of Israel. They would seldom visit Jerusalem, Israel's capital located 50 minutes away, viewing it as too religious, overburdened with history and politics, and generally boring.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/apr/28/tel-aviv-israelis-hedonistic-bubble">Continue reading...</a>IsraelPalestinian territoriesLebanonMiddle East and North AfricaWed, 28 Apr 2010 11:03:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/apr/28/tel-aviv-israelis-hedonistic-bubbleOliver Weiken/EPATel Aviv residents celebrate Israel Independence Day Photograph: Oliver Weiken/EPAAluf Benn2010-04-28T11:03:17ZIsraelis must integrate to survive | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/apr/06/israel-integration-orthodox-jews-arabs
The increase in ultra-Orthodox Jews and Arabs is a social timebomb that threatens the Jewish state's long-term survival<p>If you're interested in Israel's future, all you need to know is one statistic: among Israeli kids in their first year at primary school, about half are Arabs or ultra-Orthodox Jews. And their portion is expanding. Looking forward, a very different Israeli society is emerging, with its Jewish secular core shrinking. Alas, as this scenario matures the country is going to face growing difficulties in defending itself and sustaining its economy.</p><p>Israeli Arabs and ultra-Orthodox Jews are exempt from military service, and are under-represented in the workforce. As their relative weight in society keeps growing, Israel risks security and economic implosion, since fewer and fewer soldiers and employees will protect and provide for an expanding population of welfare recipients. The Jewish state's long-term survival depends on reversing the trend of non-participation among its Arab and ultra-Orthodox citizens.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/apr/06/israel-integration-orthodox-jews-arabs">Continue reading...</a>IsraelPalestinian territoriesMiddle East and North AfricaBinyamin NetanyahuWorld newsTue, 06 Apr 2010 10:30:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/apr/06/israel-integration-orthodox-jews-arabsAluf Benn2010-04-06T10:30:01ZHow Bibi lost a best friend | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/mar/12/bibi-lost-best-friend-netanyahu
Netanyahu needs all the support he can get. But he still turned Biden's visit into a diplomatic fiasco<p>Israel's prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, has a bad habit: when things appear to be moving in the right direction for him, he stumbles upon some stupid political landmine, raising doubts about his leadership and credibility. A series of blunders had ruined his first term in the 1990s, and on his way back to power Netanyahu promised that he had changed. </p><p>For a year, he stayed away from trouble, avoiding unscripted public remarks, giving no interviews, and being attentive to other politicians' needs and interests. But this week, he did it again, ruining the visit of American vice president Joe Biden with an <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/09/israel-jerusalem-settlement-homes-biden" title="">official announcement of a plan to build 1,600 new housing units</a> in Ramat Shlomo, a Jewish neighbourhood of East Jerusalem – despite a well-known American opposition to Israeli settlement expansion. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/mar/12/bibi-lost-best-friend-netanyahu">Continue reading...</a>IsraelPalestinian territoriesWorld newsBarack ObamaJoe BidenUS foreign policyUS newsUS politicsMiddle East and North AfricaBinyamin NetanyahuMahmoud AbbasFri, 12 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/mar/12/bibi-lost-best-friend-netanyahuAluf Benn2010-03-12T08:00:00ZThe war underground | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/feb/19/mossad-israel-assassinations-dubai-hamas
Despite much moral debate, assassinations have always been part of the Israeli-Arab conflict<p>Israelis enjoy a love-hate relationship with the intelligence service, Mossad. When they succeed in another James Bond-style operation, we sing their praises as an example of all good things Israeli: innovation, daring, outsmarting the competition. But when they screw up, we are quick to identify all of our social maladies: arrogance, carelessness, disregarding the rules.</p><p>The <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/18/dubai-police-certain-mossad-killing" title="assassination of the Hamas operative">assassination of the Hamas operative</a> Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai serves as a rare example of both attitudes. When news of the hit first broke, the global media pointed at Israel's responsibility. Despite the lack of official acknowledgement and the bounds of censorship, Israeli officials and journalists celebrated the &quot;clean&quot; killing of an old enemy – held responsible for the killing of two Israeli soldiers more than 20 years ago, and for the current flow of Iranian arms into Gaza. It added to the glory of Mossad chief Meir Dagan, widely credited for &quot;resuming the fighting spirit&quot; of the organisation. Dagan, appointed by Ariel Sharon, who said &quot;Meir's speciality is in separating the head of an Arab from his body&quot; recently got an eighth year in office from Binyamin Netanyahu.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/feb/19/mossad-israel-assassinations-dubai-hamas">Continue reading...</a>The MossadIsraelMiddle East and North AfricaHamasDubaiPalestinian territoriesUK newsWorld newsFri, 19 Feb 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/feb/19/mossad-israel-assassinations-dubai-hamasAluf Benn2010-02-19T08:30:00ZIsrael's dual reality | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/feb/04/israel-palestinian-territories-war-crimes
Israelis believe in peace, yet the Palestinian issue is met with apathy – except by our leaders, who see it just as a PR problem<p>Israel's image problem abroad is down to one issue: the stark and growing difference between how Israelis view their country, and how it is seen from outside. This explains the anger and insult that Israelis feel when they watch themselves on the BBC or CNN. It can't possibly be us, they protest, the networks must be biased and pro-Arab.</p><p>From the outside, Israel is defined by its everlasting conflict with its Arab neighbours, the Palestinians in particular. The vast majority of international news stories reflect this perception, depicting Israel as one-half of either war or peace talks. Occupation stories like Gaza under siege, new construction in West Bank settlements, or demolition of Palestinians' homes in East Jerusalem, are prime-time stuff.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/feb/04/israel-palestinian-territories-war-crimes">Continue reading...</a>IsraelPalestinian territoriesMiddle East and North AfricaGazaHuman rightsThu, 04 Feb 2010 10:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/feb/04/israel-palestinian-territories-war-crimesAluf Benn2010-02-04T10:00:01ZIsrael gives Pope Benedict its blessing | Aluf Bennhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/may/11/pope-benedict-xvi-israel
Despite the controversy potential of the papal visit, both the Catholic church and Israel's new government need a PR success<p>Few international trips could be more contentious than <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/11/pope-benedict-israel-visit">Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Israel</a>. While following the footsteps of two predecessors, Paul VI and John Paul II, who had visited the Jewish state in 1964 and 2000, respectively, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/07/vatican-pope-visit-israel-holocaust">the incumbent carries a sensitive baggage</a> beyond the charged history of Christian-Jewish coexistence.</p><p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/pope-benedict-xvi">Benedict</a>'s personal background as a German, who was a member of the Hitlerjugend and a Wehrmacht soldier in his youth, is enough to make him suspicious in the eyes of the Holocaust-minded Israelis, who would put him under close scrutiny despite his long support for interfaith dialogue. Indeed, two of his decisions since his ascendance to the papacy have raised the level of concern: the beatification process of Pius XII, who has been blamed for turning a blind eye to the extermination of Europe's Jews during the second world war; and revoking the excommunication of British bishop <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/25/catholic-bishop-richard-williamson">Richard Williamson</a>, a Holocaust denier. Add the Pope's tendency to make inflammatory remarks – on Islam and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/17/pope-africa-condoms-aids">condoms</a> – and you get a recipe for trouble.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/may/11/pope-benedict-xvi-israel">Continue reading...</a>Pope Benedict XVIIsraelMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsHolocaustSecond world warCatholicismJudaismReligionThe papacyMon, 11 May 2009 18:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/may/11/pope-benedict-xvi-israelAluf Benn2009-05-11T18:30:00Z